Latest news with #Amolops
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
‘Large'-tongued creature found in water tank at India home. It's a new species
In a city of northeastern India, a 'large'-tongued creature with 'fluorescent green' sides perched inside a water tank, but its hiding spot wasn't quite hidden enough. Visiting scientists spotted the colorful animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers visited several sites in Meghalaya state between 2022 and 2024 as part of a project to 'document the amphibian diversity,' according to a study published May 30 in the peer-reviewed journal Records of the Zoological Survey of India. While in the city of Shillong, researchers found three 'cryptic'-looking frogs, the study said. Intrigued, they took a closer look at the frogs, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Amolops shillong, or the Shillong cascade frog. Shillong cascade frogs vary in size. Males are considered 'medium'-sized, reaching just over 2 inches long, while females are considered 'very large,' reaching over 3 inches long, the study said. Both have 'bluntly pointed' snouts, 'large' tongues, 'long' legs and 'weak' arms. Photos show the coloring of the new species. Although varying in intensity, the frogs generally have 'dark brown' bodies 'with mottled fluorescent green patterns' on their sides, researchers said. Two male Shillong cascade frogs were found at a 'homestead' and 'water tank located nearby' within 'a densely populated urban habitat,' the study said. 'Both specimens were collected over a year (apart) from the same location, indicating their adaptation to a (human-modified) habitat.' The female Shillong cascade frog was found near a stream 'resting on a rock,' researchers said. 'It exhibited remarkable jumping behaviour, showcasing exceptional agility. Its robust movements and quick reflexes made collecting it a challenging task. Even after capture, the frog remained highly active, persistently jumping inside the jar, and demonstrating strong stamina.' Researchers said they named the new species after the area where it was discovered and, so far, the only area where it has been found. Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya state in northeastern India. Shillong cascade frogs are considered 'edible' and sometimes 'harvested from the wild for its meat,' which 'contributes to the increased threat to its population,' researchers said. The new species was identified by its size, snout shape, body proportions, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 2% genetic divergence from related species. The research team included Bhaskar Saikia, Bikramjit Sinha, A. Shabnam, Eugene Lyngkhoi, Damepaia S. M. Pdah and K. P. Dinesh.
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
New-to-science ‘urban' frog named after Shillong
GUWAHATI Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya named after a deity of the indigenous Khasi community, has leant its name to a new-to-science 'urban' frog. Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and their local collaborators have recorded a new species of cryptic, cascade-dwelling frog from the heart of Shillong at an average altitude of 4,990 ft. Their find, blurring the line between wilderness and cityscape, has been named Amolops shillong, or the Shillong cascade frog. They study by a team of six researchers, involving three specimens collected from the city between 2022 and 2023, has been detailed in the latest issue of Records of the ZSI. The authors of the study are the ZSI's Shillong-based Bhaskar Saikia and Bikramjit Sinha, and Pune-based A. Shabnam, Eugene Lyngkhoi of the North Eastern Hill University's Department of Zoology, Damepaia S.M. Pdah of Assam University's Department of Earth Science, and K.P. Dinesh of Meghalaya's Directorate of Mineral Resources. 'The discovery of Amolops shillong from within Shillong's urban landscape underscores the urgent need to integrate biodiversity conservation into city planning,' ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said. 'It is a striking reminder that cities are not ecological voids but can be living repositories of unique and sensitive species. Protecting microhabitats in urban forests, streams, and green corridors is essential not just for amphibians like Amolops shillong but for the overall health of our ecosystems,' she said. City species go unnoticed The Amolops frogs require molecular analysis for accurate identification, as their cryptic nature makes them visually similar but genetically distinct. The researchers used advanced genetic tools to confirm that the Shillong cascade frog belongs to the Amolops indoburmanensis species complex. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Amolops siju, a species described by the same ZSI team in 2023 from the Siju Cave in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district, is the Shillong cascade frog's closest relative, with a genetic divergence of 2-3.4%. The Amolops shillong exhibits distinctive morphological features, including differences in size, skin texture, and body proportions. While Mr Pdah collected two specimens from the Umthlong locality of Shillong's Mawlai area, Mr Lyngkhoi collected the third from the Umrynjah locality. 'We were quite surprised to find an unnamed cryptic species thriving in Shillong's urban sprawl. It's a powerful reminder of how much biodiversity remains undocumented—even in our cities,' Mr Saikia, the lead author of the study, said. He added that the urban amphibians have often gone unnoticed since the Amolops species began to be recorded in India in the 1850s. India currently has 20 recognised species of Amolops frogs, 16 of which have been described from within the country. Nine of these have been recorded in the past two decades, emphasising the status of India's northeastern region as a hotspot of amphibian diversity. According to Mr Sinha, the co-author of the study, cascade frogs are indicators of clean, undisturbed freshwater ecosystems. Their presence in Shillong's fragmented urban forest patches suggests the existence of vital microhabitats that merit immediate conservation attention. 'This discovery challenges us to rethink the value of urban ecosystems. The amphibian find from Shillong is not just a scientific achievement, it is an ecological wake-up call,' he said.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after accidentally finding ultra-rare creature: 'It is the first record of a juvenile of the species made anywhere'
For the first time, scientists have spotted a young Himalayan frog in Tibet, marking a breakthrough for a species rarely seen since its initial discovery over a century ago, reported the Idaho Statesman. The Himalayan frog, known scientifically as Amolops himalayanus, was accidentally found during a routine survey of forest pests. This small, green amphibian with distinctive disc-shaped toes had previously been documented in only India and Nepal. This discovery represents the first-ever documented juvenile of the species anywhere in the world. The finding gives researchers valuable insights into the early life stages of these elusive amphibians and offers new hope for understanding their life cycle and habitat needs. This conservation success story also points to the possibility of healthier stream ecosystems throughout the Himalayan region. Amphibians are natural indicators of environmental health. Their permeable skin makes them sensitive to water and air quality changes. The presence of this frog in a new location suggests clean waterways exist across a wider range than previously thought. The beautiful creature certainly stands out. Its bright green body is spotted with black markings, and its yellowish-green limbs are crossed with brown bars. Perhaps most distinctive is the black stripe running from its snout through its eyes to its ears, giving it a masked appearance that helps it blend into streamside vegetation. "The team of scientists found the frog at night, sitting in shrubland by a river. It is the first record of a juvenile of the species made anywhere," according to the study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal, the Idaho Statesman said. "Amolops himalayanus was discovered in Darjeeling, India, in 1888 and is considered 'poorly known,'" according to researchers, the Idaho Statesman added. The research team, which includes JiShan Wang, Shuo Liu, Hengying Wang, Mo Wang, and Dingqi Rao, has opened new doors for protection efforts that could help secure this amphibian's future and the ecosystems it calls home. Do you worry about the quality of the air inside your home? Yes — often Yes — but only sometimes Only when it's bad outside No — I never do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
